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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Lawmaker Takes Swift Action in Response to Near Tragedy in Kalihi

Fortunately, the two large boulders didn't cause any serious damage or injuries.

Early yesterday morning, two
boulders tumbled down the side of a mountain, damaging a home on Nobrega St. in
Kalihi Valley. Gerald Abella was sleeping in his bed at 4:45 a.m., when a 3
foot by 5 foot boulder crashed through his bedroom wall, coming within inches
of hitting his head.

The mountainside where the boulders originates remains unstable.

Before the day was over, Vice
Speaker John Mizuno (Kalihi Valley,
Kamehameha Heights, portion of Lower Kalihi)
had visited the scene, talked to the family, and drafted a letter to William Aila Jr, Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources,
urgently requesting a survey of any potential risks associated with the
hillside in the future.

Yesterday’s event was similar
to last year when 5 boulders rolled down the mountainside over Kalihi Valley and
damaged several homes at Kula Kolea Place. In the immediate aftermath of
that natural disaster, Vice Speaker Mizuno personally delivered a letter to the
Governor requesting State assistance in mitigating, stabilizing and/or removing
unstable rocks above Kula Kolea Place. The Governor listened and the situation
was addressed properly, promptly, and effectively.

Vice Speaker Mizuno touring the Kalihi Valley home.

“We’ve been in this position
before and used that experience to take appropriate and timely action in the
wake of yesterday’s near catastrophe. I’m requesting the DLNR to conduct a
survey of any potential future risks associated with the hillside as well as to
exercise all means of ensuring the safety and well-being of area residents,”
said House Vice Speaker John Mizuno. “Our number one priority is to keep more
boulders from crashing into homes on Nobrega St., but we have also begun to
work with the DLNR to take a proactive approach in preventing similar
occurrences throughout Kalihi Valley in the future.”